Mindful Somatic Yoga Workshops
Based on gentle breath based, mindful movements, restorative yoga, guided relaxation and meditation. A compassionate approach to help create positive coping strategies to modern living in the 21st century.
The focuses is on improving movement, not on just postures. Gently unwind tension from the centre of the body and rhythmic movements to gently energise to improve range of movement at the spine, shoulders and hips. Create more ease and joy, less tension and strain. Leaving you with a sense of feeling lighter, mentally, physically and emotionally. Suitable for all levels.
Stress is our response to either a physical, mental or emotional stimulus which provokes a reaction from the body usually in a habitual way.
In our modern fast paced society the expectation is to keep going, “to push through” and there is not enough equal recovery time between stimulus, leading to a heightened state of chronic stress. The modern stresses of “psycho social” stress - emails deadline, exams etc, set of the same cascade of stress hormones in the body as if we were being chased by a lion - “we are cavemen living in space suits!” Unfortunately our more sedentary lifestyles do not allow us to discharge the stress response through our bodies, we literally sit and stew in our own reactions to situations and it is exhausting.
Grounding, integrated breath and body based movements help unlock patterns of tension in body and strengthen the mind body relationship. As we move into our bodies to fully release any stress, it providing a focus for our restless minds which is necessary to complete the stress response. By focusing and quieting the mind it brings our nervous system back to a regulated, balanced state, which is a calm, responsive place within ourselves.
"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."
-William Shakespeare.
Restorative Yoga - the antidote to modern living
Restorative yoga is about opening and releasing the body, not stretching, which implies the action of doing. The goal of the pose is to open to a new level of relaxation. Restorative yoga posture are floor based and you are completely supported in the postures using different props which aid deep release in the body from habitual patterns of tension, settling the mind. A completely supportive and non-judgemental approach to relaxation.
3 stages of relaxation
1st stage of Relaxation - Physiological - Mindful movements.
This is the experiencing stage, noticing the body relax and the mind beginning to. A change in heart rate, brain waves change, blood alkaline levels drop we become aware of relaxing and sensations in the body.
2nd stage of Relaxation - Moving inwards - Pratyahara
To move the attention inwards to a place of ease, where t you are less disturbed and reactive to noises or vibrations. You are awake and may hear a noise, notice a thought or feel a sensation, but it does not take away sense of ease. In the yoga tradition this is called Pratyahara.
3rd stage of Relaxation - Non emptiness (not fullness) - Ashyunya
We only experience this when we come out of it a deep place of relaxation and calm. A sense of completely, non grasping and deep acceptance. Equilibrium in mind, body and spirit.
“In an age of speed, I began to think, nothing could be more invigorating than going slow. In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is more urgent than sitting still.
-Pico Iyer, The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere
